Pneumatic nailer

ABSTRACT

Power tools, nailers and strips of fasteners. In some aspects and in some constructions, the invention may provide a power tool including a housing, a deflector selectively movable relative to the housing between a first position, in which the deflector deflects fluid in a first direction, and a second position, in which the deflector deflects fluid in a second direction. In some aspects and in some constructions, the invention may provide a nailer including a magazine operable to support a strip of fasteners in an orientation therein, the magazine defining an insertion opening therein through which the strip of fasteners is insertable into the magazine, the insertion opening having a configuration, the strip of fasteners having a configuration complementary to the configuration of the insertion opening, the strip of fasteners insertable into the magazine only when the strip of fasteners is in the orientation.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of prior-filed, co-pendingprovisional patent application Ser. No. 60/474,710, filed May 29, 2003,the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to power tools and, more particularly, topneumatic nailers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Conventional nailers, such as pneumatic nailers and combustion nailers,are operable to drive fasteners into workpieces. Such nailers typicallyinclude a housing for supporting a drive assembly, a handle, a triggerassembly connectable to the drive assembly to cause firing of the driveassembly, a magazine for supporting fasteners therein and a powersource, such as a pneumatic source or a combustion device, operable topower the drive assembly and drive fasteners into a workpiece.

In the workplace, nailers may often be subject to unwanted forces causedby, for example dropping the nailer, stepping on the nailer, orotherwise impacting the nailer/components of the nailer. All of theseunwanted forces can damage the housing of the nailer and/or the internalcomponents of the nailer. Damaging the housing decreases the aestheticappealability of the nailer and can cause the nailer to operateincorrectly or to not operate at all.

Some nailers, such as pneumatic nailers, are powered with air andexhaust air therefrom after each operation cycle. Exhausted air mayexhaust in an undefined or less-than-preferred direction from the nailer(e.g., may exhaust at the operator (into the operator's face, at theoperator's body)) and may cause discomfort to the operator or affect theoperation of the nailer. Exhausted air can also blow particles, such as,for example dust, dirt, saw dust, debris, etc., in unwanted directionsaround the work area, such as, for example at the operator (into theoperator's face), onto the workpiece, or randomly into the air, to causediscomfort to an operator, to affect operation of the nailer or tosimply make a mess of the work area.

Fasteners may be incorrectly loaded into some conventional nailers.Fasteners are typically arranged together using collation material,which may be made of plastic and which may arranged in one or two rowsalong the bundle of fasteners. Nailers typically have magazines intowhich fasteners may be incorrectly inserted by an unwary or inattentiveoperator. If the bundle, stick or set of collated fasteners is insertedincorrectly, the leading fastener may not be properly aligned with thedrive assembly and can be driven in the incorrect orientation or in anincorrect direction. Driving the leading fastener in the improperorientation/direction may damage the nailer, such as, for example,damaging the drive assembly, driving the nail through a wall of themagazine or other portion of the nailer, may damage the workpiece orsurrounding equipment or may cause an injury to an operator.Conventional nailers typically do not prevent the conventional nailerfrom firing when the collated fasteners are inserted incorrectly.

Some conventional nailers also include magazines that support thebundles of fasteners therein by engaging the fasteners. Typically, theheads or other portions of the fasteners engage interior surfaces of themagazine and slide therealong. Fasteners are commonly made of metal andcan wear the interior surfaces of the magazine, which are typically madeof plastic, after repeated use thereof. Such wear can cause the magazineto misguide the fasteners and improperly align the fasteners with thedrive assembly or fasteners can jam within the magazine.

Conventional nailers are often utilized in spaces having limited roomfor movement. Loading fasteners into the magazine in such cramped spacescan be a difficult if not impossible task. Magazines of someconventional nailers typically include a support portion secured to thehousing of the nailer and a cover slidable along the support portion toexpose the interior of the magazine and allow fasteners to be insertedinto the magazine. In order to slide the cover completely rearward alongthe support portion or either off of the support portion, there must besufficient space behind the magazine to facilitate the length of thecover when slid rearward along the support portion. In cramped spaces,there is typically an insufficient amount of space behind the magazineto allow the cover to completely slide rearward. Also, with the magazineopen, the nailer may be unwieldy. Fasteners typically can not be loadedinto magazines if covers thereof can not slide completely rearward.

In some conventional nailers, it is typically up to the operator tomonitor the fastener content of the magazine and to reload the magazinewhen the magazine is low on fasteners. Often times, an operator will notmonitor the fastener content of the magazine and the magazine will runout of fasteners. Firing a nailer without firing any fasteners candamage the workpiece surface and waste valuable time of the operator.

In some aspects and in some constructions, the invention provides anailer, such as a pneumatic nailer, that generally includes a bumperdisposed therearound to decrease the force of unwanted impacts on thenailer caused by, for example, dropping the nailer, setting down thenailer, etc.

Also, in some aspects and in some constructions, the invention providesa power tool including a housing including a wall defining a cavity, anaperture being defined through the wall and being in fluid communicationwith the cavity to facilitate fluid flow from within the cavity, throughthe aperture and to the exterior of the power tool, a deflectorconnected to the housing and, in a position, at least partially coveringthe aperture, the deflector being selectively movable relative to thehousing between a first position, in which the deflector deflects fluidflowing through the aperture in a first direction, and a secondposition, in which the deflector deflects fluid flowing through theaperture in a second direction, and a detent arrangement providedbetween the housing and the deflector to releasably hold the deflectorin at least one of the first position and the second position.

In addition, in some aspects and in some constructions, the inventionprovides a nailer for driving a fastener from a strip of fasteners, thenailer including a housing defining a firing channel, a magazineconnected to the housing, the magazine being operable to support thestrip of fasteners in an orientation therein such that the strip offasteners is advancable toward the firing channel, the magazine definingan insertion opening therein through which the strip of fasteners isinsertable into the magazine, the insertion opening having aconfiguration, and a drive assembly at least partially supported by thehousing for driving a fastener positioned in the firing channel into aworkpiece, wherein the strip of fasteners has a configurationcomplementary to the configuration of the insertion opening such thatthe strip of fasteners insertable into the magazine only when the stripof fasteners is in the orientation.

Further, in some aspects and in some constructions, the inventionprovides a nailer, such as a pneumatic nailer, that generally includes anose-lockout switch engageable by collation material of a bundle offasteners. In such aspects and in such constructions, generally, whenthe bundle of fasteners is properly inserted into the magazine, thecollation material is engageable with the nose lockout switch to releasethe nose-lockout switch and allow firing of the nailer. Also, in suchaspects and in such constructions, the nose-lockout switch is operableto lockout the nailer and to prevent firing thereof when the collationmaterial does not engage the nose-lockout switch. In addition, in suchaspects and in such constructions, the collation material does notengage the nose-lockout switch when the bundle of fasteners isincorrectly inserted into the magazine.

Also, in some aspects and in some constructions, the invention providesa nailer, such as a pneumatic nailer, that generally includes a magazineoperable to engage collation material of a bundle of fasteners tosupport the bundle of fasteners within the magazine.

In addition, in some aspects and in some constructions, the inventionprovides a nailer, such as a pneumatic nailer, that generally includes amagazine having a support portion and a cover. In such aspects and insuch constructions, generally, the cover is slidable and rotatablerelative to the support portion.

Further, in some aspects and in some constructions, the inventionprovides a power tool including a housing defining a firing channel, amagazine connected to the housing and operable to support fastenerstherein, the magazine including a pusher engaging the fasteners to movethe fasteners through the magazine and toward the firing channel, adrive assembly at least partially supported by the housing for driving afastener positioned in the firing channel into a workpiece, and a leverengageable with the pusher to prevent the power tool from driving afastener when a quantity of fasteners in the magazine is below a numberof fasteners.

Also, in some aspects and in some constructions, the invention providesa strip of fasteners for use with a nailer, the nailer being operable todrive a fastener from said strip of fasteners, the nailer including ahousing defining a firing channel, a magazine connected to the housing,the magazine being operable to support said strip of fasteners in anorientation therein such that said strip of fasteners is advancabletoward the firing channel, the magazine defining an insertion openingtherein through which said strip of fasteners is insertable into themagazine, the insertion opening having a configuration, and a driveassembly at least partially supported by the housing for driving afastener positioned in the firing channel into a workpiece, said stripof fasteners including a plurality of fasteners, and a collation stripengageable with and securing the plurality of fasteners in said strip offasteners, said strip of fasteners having a configuration complementaryto the configuration of the insertion opening such that said strip offasteners insertable into the magazine only when said strip of fastenersis in the orientation.

Independent features and independent advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of thefollowing detailed description, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right perspective view of a nailer, such as a pneumaticnailer.

FIG. 2 is another right perspective view of the nailer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a left perspective view of the nailer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is another left perspective view of the nailer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the nailer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the nailer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the nailer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the nailer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the nailer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the nailer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the nailer shown in FIG. 1, takenalong line 11—11 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an exploded right perspective view of the nailer shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a partial right perspective view of the nailer shown in FIG.1 and an air deflector of the nailer.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the air deflector shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an exploded right perspective view of a cap and the airdeflector of the nailer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a right perspective view of a second construction of amagazine of the nailer shown in FIG. 1, shown with a cover and a supportportion of the magazine connected together.

FIG. 17 is a right perspective view of the magazine shown in FIG. 16,shown with the cover slid rearwardly relative to the support portion.

FIG. 18 is a right perspective view of the magazine shown in FIG. 16,shown with the cover slid rearwardly and rotated relative to the supportportion.

FIG. 19 is a right perspective view of the magazine shown in FIG. 16,shown with the cover connected to the support portion and fastenersloaded therebetween.

FIG. 20 is a right perspective view of a pusher of the magazine shown inFIG. 16.

FIG. 21 is a partial left bottom perspective view of the pusher and aconnecting spring of the magazine shown in FIG. 16, shown with thepusher engaging the connecting spring.

FIG. 22 is a partial right bottom perspective view of the pusher andconnecting spring of the magazine shown in FIG. 16, shown with thepusher engaging the connecting spring.

FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view of fasteners and collationmaterial useable with the nailer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 24 is a front view of the fasteners and collation material shown inFIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a partial right bottom perspective view of a magazine of thenailer shown in FIG. 1, the magazine shown with an insertion opening ina rearward end thereof.

FIG. 26 is a partial left bottom perspective view of the magazine shownin FIG. 25, shown with fasteners being correctly inserted through theinsertion opening.

FIG. 27 is a partial right bottom perspective view of a magazine andfasteners incorrectly inserted into the magazine.

FIG. 28 is a partial right bottom perspective view of the magazine shownin FIG. 27 and fasteners incorrectly inserted into the magazine.

FIG. 29 is a partial bottom perspective view of the magazine shown inFIG. 25 and fasteners having the collation material shown in FIGS.23-24, the collation material preventing incorrect insertion of thefasteners into the magazine.

FIG. 30 is a partial bottom perspective view of the magazine shown inFIG. 25 and fasteners having the collation material shown in FIGS.23-24, the collation material preventing incorrect insertion of thefasteners into the magazine.

FIG. 31 is a partial bottom perspective view of the magazine shown inFIG. 25 and fasteners having the collation material shown in FIGS.23-24, the collation material preventing incorrect insertion of thefasteners into the magazine.

FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional view of the nailer shown in FIG. 1,shown with a fastener positioned in a firing channel.

FIG. 33 is a top schematic view of fastener having collation material,the firing channel, a first lever and a nose-lockout assembly shown in alocked position.

FIG. 34 is a top schematic view of the fastener, the collation material,the firing channel, the first lever and the nose-lockout assembly shownin FIG. 33, shown in an unlocked position.

FIG. 35 is a cross sectional view of a magazine of the nailer shown inFIG. 1, shown with collation material engaging interior surfaces of themagazine to support the fasteners within the magazine.

FIG. 36 is a right perspective view of a second construction of anailer, such as a pneumatic nailer.

FIG. 37 is another right perspective view of the nailer shown in FIG.36.

FIG. 38 is a left perspective view of the nailer shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 39 is another left perspective view of the nailer shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 40 is a right side view of the nailer shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 41 is a left side view of the nailer shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 42 is a top view of the nailer shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 43 is a bottom view of the nailer shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 44 is a front view of the nailer shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 45 is a rear view of the nailer shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 46 is an exploded perspective view of the nailer shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view of the nailer shown in FIG. 36, takenalong line 47—47 in FIG. 45.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of an alternative construction of amagazine of a nailer.

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the magazine shown in FIG. 48, shownwith a cover of the magazine removed.

FIG. 50 is a front perspective view of a storage portion of the magazineshown in FIG. 48.

FIG. 51 is a left perspective view of the storage portion of themagazine shown in FIG. 48.

FIG. 52 is a rear perspective view of the storage portion of themagazine shown in FIG. 48.

FIG. 53 is a perspective view of a nail useable with the nailers shownin FIGS. 1 and 36.

FIG. 54 is a top view of the nail shown in FIG. 53.

FIG. 55 is a top view of an alternative construction of an indicia ofthe nail shown in FIG. 53.

FIG. 56 is a top view of an alternative construction of an indicia ofthe nail shown in FIG. 53.

FIG. 57 is a top view of an alternative construction of an indicia ofthe nail shown in FIG. 53.

FIG. 58 is a top view of an alternative construction of an indicia ofthe nail shown in FIG. 53.

Before at least one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the constructions and the arrangements ofthe components set forth in the following description or illustrated inthe drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A power tool, such as a pneumatic air-powered nailer 20, embodyingindependent aspects of the present invention, is illustrated in FIGS.1-15. It should be understood that, in other constructions and in otheraspects, the power tool can be another type of nailers, such as, forexample, a combustion nailer, an electric powered nailer, etc. Also, itshould be understood that, in other constructions and in other aspects,the power tool can be another type of power tool, such as, for example,a drill, a screwdriver, a saw, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 1-12, the nailer 20 is a “finish”-type nailer andincludes a body 24 having a forward end 28 and a rearward end 32, ahandle 36 extending from the rearward end 32 and a magazine 40 connectedto the forward end 28 and the handle 36. A coupling 44 is positioned atan end of the handle 36 to couple a supply line (not shown), whichsupplies air from a pneumatic source (not shown), to the nailer 20.Connecting members 48 are disposed on the handle 36 and are receivablewithin apertures 52 defined in the coupling 44 to connect the handle 36and the coupling 44. A gasket is disposed between the handle 36 and thecoupling 44 to create an effective seal therebetween. In someconstructions and in some aspects of the invention, the handle 36 andthe coupling 44 can be connected in other manners, such as, for exampleany type of fastener, resilient clamps, integrally formed, etc., andstill be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-15, the rearward end 32 of the body 24 includes ahousing 56 and a cap 60 removably connected to the housing 56 to allowaccess to the interior of the body 24. Connecting members 64 of thehousing 56 are engageable within apertures 68 defined in the cap 60 toconnect the housing 56 and cap 60 together. A gasket 72 is positionedbetween surfaces of the housing 56 and the cap 60 to create an effectiveseal therebetween. In some constructions and in some aspects of thepresent invention, the housing 56 and cap 60 can be connected in othermanners, such as, for example any type of fastener, resilient clamps,integrally formed, etc.

In the illustrated construction and in some aspects, the nailer 20 alsoincludes a bumper 76 disposed around the connection point between thehousing 56 and the cap 60. A raised lip 80 extends outwardly from thehousing 56 and engages the bumper 76 to secure the bumper 76 in place.In some aspects, the nailer 20 does not include a raised lip and thebumper 76 is resiliently secured around the connection point between thehousing 56 and the cap 60. The bumper 76 can be made of many resilientmaterials, such as, for example, plastic and rubber, and the bumper 76can slide onto and off of the raised lip 80 to cover and expose,respectively, the connection point between the housing 56 and the cap60.

Resiliency of the bumper 76 also allows the bumper 76 to absorb unwantedforces exerted thereto. These unwanted forces can be caused by, forexample, setting the nailer 20 on a surface, dropping the nailer 20,stepping on the nailer 20 and other impacts that can occur. In someaspects, the raised lip 80 extends from the cap 60 rather than thehousing 56. In some aspects, the bumper 76 can be integrally formed withor rigidly connected to one of the housing 56 and the cap 60. In someaspects, the bumper 76 can include an internally extending flange thatis positionable between surfaces of the housing 56 and the cap 60 and ispinched therebetween to secure the bumper 76 in place. In such aspects,the bumper 76 is removable when the housing 56 and the cap 60 aredisconnected and the internally extending flange can substitute for thegasket to create an effective seal between the housing 56 and the cap60.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-15, a drive assembly 84 is disposedsubstantially within the rearward end 32 of the body 24 and is operableto drive fasteners 88 supported by the magazine 40 (discussed in greaterdetail below). The drive assembly 84 includes a cylinder 92, a cylinderring 96 disposed around the cylinder 92 (see FIG. 11), a piston headvalve 100 positioned at a rear end of the cylinder 92 that includes anozzle 104 and a cavity 108 defined through the piston head valve 100and the nozzle 104, a piston stopper 112 defining a cavity 116therethrough that receives the nozzle 104 therein, a head valve spring120 disposed between the piston head valve 100 and the piston stopper112, a seal 124 positioned between the nozzle 104 and a rear wall of thecap 60, a driver 128 positioned within the cylinder 92 and slidabletherein between a rearward position and a forward position, and acylinder bumper 132 concentrically aligned with the cylinder 92 andpositioned between a front end of the cylinder 92 and a forward wall ofthe housing 56. The cylinder ring 96 is sealingly engageable with boththe cylinder 92 and an inner surface of the housing 56 via gaskets orO-rings 136, 140 (see FIG. 11), respectively. The driver 128 includes apiston 144 sealingly engageable with an inner surface of the cylinder 92via a gasket or O-ring 148 (see FIG. 11) and a driver blade 152extending forward from the piston 144. The piston 144 receives the forceexerted by air from the pneumatic source and drives the driver blade 152into engagement with fasteners 88 to drive the fasteners 88 into aworkpiece. Movement of the driver 128 from the rearward position to theforward position is known as the power stroke. Forward movement of thedriver 128 is limited by the cylinder bumper 132.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-15 and, particularly, to FIGS.13-15, in the illustrated construction and in some aspects, the nailer20 also includes an air deflector 156 for selectively deflecting airexhausted from the interior of the body 24 to the exterior of the body24. The deflector 156 defines a deflector nozzle 160 through which airis exhaustible and includes a plurality of detents or recesses 164defined therearound. The cap 60 defines a plurality of apertures 168through a rear wall thereof, through which air is flowable from theinterior of the body 24, and at least one protrusion 172 (see FIG. 15)complementary to the recesses 164 defined in the deflector 156. Airflowing through the plurality of apertures 168 flows through thedeflector nozzle 160 and out of the body 24.

The deflector 156 is rotatably connected to the cap 60 and isselectively positionable in a plurality of positions by rotating thedeflector 156 and positioning the protrusion 172 in one of the pluralityof recesses 164 defined in the deflector 156. The number of deflectorpositions is determined by the number of recesses 164 defined in thedeflector 156. The position to which the air is deflected by thedeflector 156 may be adjusted without any separate tools, and theengagement between the protrusion 172 and one of the recesses 164 holdsthe deflector 156 in the selected deflection position. In theillustrated construction, the protrusion 172 is biased into engagementwith the selected recess 164 by the resilience of the material ofprotrusion 172 and cap 60 and of the deflector 156.

In other constructions (not shown), the protrusion may be a separatemember, and a biasing member, such as, for example, a spring or otherflexible member or material, may be positioned between the deflector 156and the protrusion 172 to bias the protrusion 172 into engagement withthe selected recess 164. In some aspects, the deflector 156 can beconnected to the cap 60 in a different manner, such as, for example, bycomplementary geared teeth on the deflector and the cap, by a type ofbearing device, etc.

Air is exhausted from the body 24 after the power stroke of the driveassembly 84. To exhaust air, the piston head valve 100 moves toward andengages the cylinder 92. This movement of the piston head valve 100creates a gap 176 (see FIG. 11) between the top of the piston head valve100 and the cap 60. Air flows through the gap 176, through the pluralityof apertures 168 and is deflected in a desirable direction by thedeflector nozzle 156.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-12, a driver nose 180 and a guide cover 184are positioned at the forward end 28 of the body 24 and are connected toa front of the housing 56 with connecting members 188 similar toconnecting members 48, 64. In some constructions and in some aspects,the driver nose 180 and the guide cover 184 can be connected to thefront of the housing 56 in other manners, such as, for example, by anytype of fastener, by resilient clamps, by being integrally formed, etc.A driver guide 192 is supported on top of the drive nose 180 andincludes a lip 196 extending rearwardly that is captured underneath of aprotrusion 200 of the guide cover 184. The driver guide 192 alsoincludes a pivot support 204 having a cavity defined therethrough and apair of angled protrusions 208 that are capturable in slotted supportmembers 212 of the driver nose 180.

A driver pad 216 is positioned at the front of the driver guide 192 andis supported by a first unwanted-firing prevention lever 220 having afirst leg 224 supported within a first support channel 228 of the drivenose 180 and a second leg 232 supported within a second support channel236 of the drive nose 180. The second leg 232 extends rearward and belowthe drive nose 180 to engage a driver pad adjustment assembly 240(discussed in greater detail below).

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-12, a driver guide quick releaseassembly 244 is pivotally connected to the driver guide 192 andselectively connectable to the guide cover 184. The quick releaseassembly 244 includes a pair of spaced apart flanges 248 definingapertures therethrough. The flanges 248 are positioned on opposite sidesof the pivot support 204 such that the apertures align with the cavitydefined in the pivot support 204. A shaft 252 is positioned within theapertures and the cavity to pivotally connect the quick release assembly244 to the driver guide 192. The quick release assembly 244 alsoincludes an actuation lever 256 and a locking member 260, which isengageable with a pair of locking hooks 264 extending upwardly andrearwardly from the guide cover 184.

The quick release assembly 244 has a locked condition, in which theactuation lever 256 is positioned downward toward the driver guide 192and the locking member 260 is captured behind the locking hooks 264 ofthe guide cover 184, and an unlocked condition, in which the actuationlever 256 is moved upward away from the driver guide 192 and the lockingmember 260 is not captured behind the locking hooks 264. In the lockedcondition, the pair of angled protrusions 208 of the driver guide 192are captured in the slotted support members 212 of the driver nose 180and the driver guide 192 is in an appropriate position to facilitateoperation of the nailer 20. In the unlocked condition, the pair ofangled protrusions 208 are movable out of the slotted support members212 and the driver guide 192 is movable forward and upward to facilitateremoval of jammed, broken, bent or otherwise dysfunctional fastenersfrom underneath the driver guide 192.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-12, the adjustment assembly 240includes a second unwanted-firing prevention lever 268, an adjustingpost 272 supported by the second lever 268 and defining an aperture 276therethrough into which the second leg 232 of the first lever 220 isinserted, an adjusting nut 280 supported by the adjusting post 272, aguide lever 284 supported by the body 24, a mode pin 288 supported bythe guide lever 284, and an adjusting button 292 supported on the modepin 288.

With additional reference to FIGS. 1-12, a trigger assembly 296 isillustrated and includes a trigger 300 pivotally connected to the guidelever 284 via a trigger pin 304 and a trigger valve 308 operable tocontrol air flow into the nailer 20 from the pneumatic source. Thetrigger 300 is movable between an extended position, in which thetrigger valve 308 is closed to prevent air from entering the body 24 ofthe nailer 20, and a depressed position, in which the valve 308 is opento allow air to enter into the body 24. The trigger 300 is movable fromthe extended position to the depressed position under manual bias of anoperator. In the illustrated construction and in some aspects, thetrigger 300 has the appearance of an electric power tool trigger ratherthan that of a typical pneumatic tool.

The adjusting assembly 240 is operable to switch the operation of thenailer 20 and prevent unwanted firing during operation of the nailer 20.In the illustrated construction, the adjusting assembly 240 switches thenailer 20 between a contact actuation mode (bumpfire), in which thedriver pad 216 is pressed against a workpiece and depressed causing thenailer 20 to fire (or drive a fastener into the workpiece), and asequential actuation mode, in which the trigger 300 must be biased tothe depressed position and the driver pad 216 must be depressed at thesame time to facilitate firing of the nailer 20 (or driving of afastener). The adjusting assembly 240 may switch the nailer 20 betweenother types of operation and still be within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

With further reference to FIGS. 1-12, the magazine 40 includes a supportportion 312 and a cover 316 slidably connected to the support portion312. The support portion 312 is connected at one end to the handle 36and at a second end to the forward end 28 of the body 24. A plurality ofparallel grooves 320 is defined along substantially the entire length ofthe support portion 312 and are operable to receive heads of fasteners88 and/or collation material therein. The plurality of grooves 320 allowthe magazine 40 to facilitate varying lengths of fasteners 88 therein.Collation material is used to secure the fasteners 88 together in abundle, stick, section, row or strip to eliminate single loading offasteners 88 into the magazine 40. As described herein, a plurality offasteners 88 secured together by collation material will be referred toas a row of fasteners 88, however, the plurality of fasteners 88 securedtogether by collation material can also be referred to as a strip offasteners 88. Row and strip are interchangeable with each other whenreferring to the plurality of fasteners 88 secured together by thecollation material.

The support portion 312 also defines guide slots 324 therein forreceiving edges of the cover 316. The cover 316 is slidable along theguide slots 324 between a locked position, in which the cover 316 ispositioned to cover the support portion 312 and is locked to the supportportion 312 via a magazine latch 328, and an unlocked position, in whichthe cover 316 is slid rearward along the support portion 312 to enableloading and unloading of fasteners 88 from the magazine 40. To move thecover 316 from the locked position to the unlocked position, themagazine latch 328 is activated to disengage the support portion 312 andallow movement of the cover 316 relative to the support portion 312. Insome aspects, the magazine 40 includes stops (not shown) positioned inthe guide slots 324 to limit the rearward movement of the cover 316along the support portion 312 and prevent the cover 316 from slidingcompletely off of the support portion 312. In some aspects, the cover316 is slidable completely off of the support portion 312.

A pusher 332 is positioned between the support portion 312 and the cover316 and is engageable with fasteners 88 to bias fasteners 88 toward aloading position, in which a fastener 88 is driveable by the driveassembly 84 into a workpiece. A pusher spring 336 (see FIG. 12) isdisposed within the magazine 40 and engages a rear of the pusher 332 tobias the pusher 332 toward the loading position, and therefore, biasfasteners 88 toward the loading position.

With particular reference to FIG. 11, a portion of the second lever 268is positioned within the magazine 40 and is engageable by a horn or hookportion 340 of the pusher 332. The hook portion 340 engages the secondlever 268 when the level of fasteners 88 within the magazine 40 is low(e.g., five or fewer fasteners). Engagement between the pusher 332 andthe second lever 268 prevents the nailer 20 from firing when the nailer20 is low on fasteners 88. When the pusher 332 engages the second lever268, the magazine 40 must be loaded with additional fastener 88 in orderfor the nailer 20 to operate.

To load fasteners 88 into the magazine 40, the magazine latch 328 isactivated and the cover 316 is slid rearward along the support portion312. In some aspects, the pusher 332 slides rearward with the cover 316to position the pusher 332 at a rear of the support portion 312 andallow fasteners 88 to be inserted in front of the pusher 332. In someaspects, the pusher 332 is manually slid rearward separate from thecover 316. As discussed above, the cover 316 can be slid completely offof the support portion 312 or the cover 316 can engage the stopspositioned in the guide slots 324. After the pusher 332 is slid rearwardalong the support portion 312, fasteners 88 are loaded in front of thepusher 332 and into engagement with the support portion 312. The cover316 is then slid forward to the locked position where the cover 316covers the fasteners 88 and secures the fasteners 88 in the magazine 40.

Referring to FIGS. 16-22, a second construction of the magazine 40 isillustrated. Common elements are identified by the same referencenumbers “′”.

The magazine 40′ includes a support portion 312′ and a cover 316′connected to each other via a hinge assembly 344, which allows the cover316′ to slide and rotate relative to the support portion 312′. The hingeassembly 344 includes a pair of substantially co-axial rods 348press-fit into flanges 352 of the support portion 312′. Flanges 356 ofthe cover 316′ are disposed around the rods 348 and are slidabletherealong and rotatable thereabout. In some aspects, a single rod isused rather than a pair of rods. An end cap 360 is connected to an endof the cover 316′ and defines a cavity 364 within which the end of thecover 316′ and an end of the support portion 312′ are positionable. Apusher 332′ is slidably connected to the cover 316′ and includes ahandle 368 manipulateable by an operator and a hook 372. The pusher 332′is biased toward the loading position by a spring (not shown).

The magazine 40′ also includes a connecting spring 376 rigidly connectedto the cover 316′ and having a central portion 380 and a pair of outerportions 384. The outer portions 384 have curved ends that areinsertable into apertures 388 defined in the support portion 312′ toselectively lock the cover 316′ to the support portion 312′ and preventmovement therebetween.

To load the magazine 40′ with fasteners 88′, an operator grasps thehandle 368 and biases it rearward against the spring. The hook 372 ofthe pusher 332′ engages and captures the central portion 380 of theconnecting spring 376 to bias the connecting spring 376 away from thesupport portion 312′ causing the curved ends of the outer portions 384to move out of the apertures 388 and unlock the cover 316′ and thesupport portion 312′. When unlocked, the cover 316′ and the supportportion 312′ are movable relative to one another. Continued rearwardmovement of the pusher 332′ causes the pusher 332′, the end cap 360 andthe cover 316′ to slide rearwardly together relative to the supportportion 312′. The flanges 356 of the cover 316′ slide along the rods 348until they engage the flanges 352 of the support portion 312′. At thispoint, the end of the support portion 312′ is not positioned within thecavity 364 of the end cap 360 and the cover 316′ can rotate relative tothe support portion 312′. The flanges 356 of the cover 316 rotate aboutthe rods 348 to expose the interior of the magazine 40′.

Fasteners 88′ can be loaded onto the support portion 312′ and the cover316′ can be rotated back toward the support portion 312′. The pusher332′, the end cap 360 and the cover 316′ are then slid forward relativeto the support portion 312′ to bring the end of the support portion 312′back into the cavity 364 of the end cap 360. The central portion 380 ofthe connecting spring 376 engages a ramp 392 protruding from the supportportion 312′ to bias the central portion 380 from behind the hook 340and release the central portion 380 from the hook 340. Upon release ofthe central portion 380, the outer portions 384 re-insert into theapertures 388 defined in the support portion 312′ to connect the cover316′ to the support portion 312′. Also upon release of the centralportion 380, the pusher 332′ is biased into engagement with thefasteners 88′ via the spring.

Referring to FIGS. 48-52, a third construction of the magazine 40 isillustrated. Common elements are identified by the same referencenumbers “A”.

The magazine 40A is capable of holding multiple rows of fasteners 88Aand includes a support portion 312A, a cover 316A connected to thesupport portion 312A and a storage portion 393 for supporting multiplerows of fasteners 88A. The storage portion 393 extends outwardly fromthe cover 316A and includes a biasing member (not shown) engaging theoutermost row of fasteners 88A (outermost row of fasteners 88A isdefined by the row of fasteners furthest from the support portion 312A)in the storage portion 393 and biasing the rows of fasteners 88Apositioned within the storage portion 393 toward the support portion312A of the magazine 40A. A feeding plane 394 is defined between thesupport portion 312A and the cover 316A. Rows of fasteners 88A are fedalong the feeding plane 394 toward the driver nose 180A of the nailer20A and into a firing channel 395 where the fasteners 88A are drivenone-by-one into a workpiece. Rows of fasteners 88A are positioned in thefeeding plane 394 when they are biased into contact with the supportportion 312A. As discussed above, the rows of fasteners 88A positionedin the feeding plane 394 are biased toward the firing channel 395 by thepusher 332A. The pusher 332A engages the rearmost fastener in the row offasteners 88A positioned in the feeding plane 394.

The biasing member can take a variety of shapes and have a variety ofconfigurations. In some constructions, the biasing member includes a bar(not shown) engaging the row of fasteners 88A along a substantial lengththereof and a spring (not shown) biasing the bar into engagement withthe outermost row of fasteners 88A. In other constructions, the biasingmember can assume a leaf spring (not shown) type configuration in whichthe spring includes a member extending therefrom that is under springforce to engage the outermost row of fasteners 88A to move the rows offasteners 88A toward the feeding plane 394. The biasing member can takeany appropriate shape and configuration and be within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

In the illustrated construction, the storage portion 393 can supportfour additional rows of fasteners 88A in addition to the row offasteners 88A positioned in the feeding plane 394. However, the supportportion 312A can support any number of additional rows of fasteners 88Aand still be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Now that the components of the magazine 40A have been described,fastener loading operation will be described herein.

As the nailer 20A drives fasteners 88A into a workpiece(s), fasteners88A are consumed from the row of fasteners 88A positioned in the feedingplane 394 and are continually fed toward the firing channel 395 underthe bias of the pusher 332A. Once the row of fasteners 88A positioned inthe feeding plane 394 have been sufficiently consumed, the operatorgrasps a pusher lever 397 and moves the lever 397 and the pusher 332Arearwardly against the bias of the pusher spring 336A. In someconstructions, the nailer 20A includes a pusher lock (not shown) thatengages either or both the pusher lever 397 and/or the pusher 332A whenthe pusher lever 397 and the pusher 332A are moved rearwardly and locksthe pusher lever 397 and the pusher 332A in a rearward position. Whenlocked in the rearward position, the pusher lever 397 and pusher 332Aare unable to move without exterior forces provided by the operator. Inother constructions, the pusher lever 397 and the pusher 332A are notlocked in a rearward position and must be manually held rearwardly alongthe magazine 40A. It should be understood that the pusher 332A canautomatically move rearward without manipulation by the operator whenthe fasteners 88A have been sufficiently consumed. In such instances,the pusher 332A can be in pneumatic communication with the nailer 20Aand the pneumatic source to pneumatically move the pusher 332Arearwardly. Also in such instances, the pusher 332A can be movedrearwardly by a separate mechanical device (not shown) not associatedwith the pneumatic source. Further in such instances, the pusher 332Acan be spring biased rearwardly to overcome the bias of the pusherspring 336A when the fasteners 88A have been sufficiently consumed.

The pusher 332A is moved rearwardly to a position behind the rearmostfasteners 88A in the storage portion 393 (rearmost fasteners 88A aredefined as the fasteners furthest from the firing channel 395). Once thepusher 332A is behind the rearmost fasteners 88A, the rows of fasteners88A are free to move toward the support portion 312A and the feedingplane 394 under the bias of the biasing member. The row of fasteners 88Anearest to the support portion 312A engages the support portion 312A tobe positioned in the feeding plane 394. Now that a row of fasteners 88Ais positioned in the feeding plane 394, the pusher 332A can be reengagedwith the rearmost fastener in the row of fasteners 88A. The pusher 332Acan be unlocked from the rearward position or can be released fromoperator bias to reengage the rearmost fastener in the row of fasteners88A. The nailer 20A is then again operated until the fasteners 88A inthe row positioned in the feeding plane 394 are sufficiently consumed.The pusher lever 397 and the pusher 332A are again moved rearwardlyunder the bias of an operator and the next row of fasteners 88A arebiased into the feeding plane 394 by the biasing member. The pusher 332Aand the pusher lever 397 are again allowed to engage the rearmostfastener to bias the fasteners 88A along the feeding plane 394 towardthe firing channel 395. This process continues until all the rows offasteners 88A are consumed.

The additional rows of fasteners 88A can be loaded into the storageportion 393 in a variety of manners. In some constructions, the storageportion 393 includes a door (not shown) moveable to allow access to theinterior of the storage portion 393. In such constructions, the door canbe slidable or pivotable to allow access to the interior of the storageportion 393. In other constructions, the rows of fasteners 88A can beinserted through an insertion opening 404A (discussed below) defined inthe magazine 40A. Upon insertion of additional rows of fasteners 88A,the previously inserted rows of fasteners 88A move into the storageportion 393. In such constructions, the rows of fasteners 88A can bemoved into the storage portion 393 under the bias of the next insertedrow of fasteners 88A or under the bias of a separate biasing member (notshown). In further constructions, the storage portion 393 can defines aninsertion opening 398 through which rows of fasteners 88A are insertedinto the storage portion 393.

It should be understood that the nailer 20A can include other manners ofadvancing fasteners along the feeding plane 394 and toward the firingchannel 395. In some constructions, the nailer 20A includes a pneumaticadvancing mechanism (not shown) including a pneumatic cylinder (notshown) in pneumatic communication with the pneumatic source and afeeding member (not shown) connected to and moveable by the cylinder.The feeding member engages at least one of the fasteners 88A in the rowof fasteners 88A positioned in the feeding plane 394. After the nailer20A drives a fastener 88A from the firing channel 395, the cylinderadvances the feeding member, and therefore the row of fasteners 88A,toward the firing channel 395 to position the leading fastener 88A inthe firing channel 395. The cylinder can advance the fasteners 88Atoward the firing channel 395 in a variety of manners. In someconstructions, the cylinder and the feeding member moves forward toadvance the row of fasteners 88A a single position toward the firingchannel and then the cylinder and the feeding member return to theiroriginal position prior to advancing the row of fasteners 88A anothersingle position. In other constructions, the cylinder and the feedingmember move forward several consecutive times to advance the row offasteners 88A several consecutive single positions before the cylinderand the feeding member return to their original position for another setof consecutive single advancements of the fasteners 88A.

The advancing mechanism can have a variety of different configurationsto enable the feeding member to move rearward and return to its originalposition without pulling the row of fasteners 88A rearwardly and awayfrom the firing channel 395. In some constructions, the feeding memberis moved out of engagement with the fasteners 88A, pulled rearwardly,and reengaged with the row of fasteners 88A in preparation of anotheradvancing motion. In other constructions, the feeding member ispivotally connected to the cylinder and pivots relative to the cylinderand the row of fasteners 88A as the cylinder moves the feeding memberrearwardly. The pivoting of the feeding member enables the feedingmember to pass by a fastener 88A and return to its original positionwhere it can advance another fastener 88A.

In other constructions of the nailer 20A, the pneumatic advancingmechanism includes a pair of feeding members (not shown) connected tothe cylinder. The feeding members are spaced from one another and areengageable with different fasteners. The feeding members aresynchronized with each other to advance the row of fasteners 88Apositioned in the feeding plane 394 toward the firing channel 395. Whenthe row of fasteners 88A is almost consumed and the last fastener 88A ofthe row is advanced past the lead fastener 88A of the next row offasteners 88A stored in the storage portion 393, the next row offasteners 88A stored in the storage portion 393 moves into the feedingplane 394 immediately behind the substantially consumed row of fasteners88A. The set of feeding members are configured to engage and advance thesubstantially consumed row of fasteners 88A with the foremost one of thefeeding members and engage and advance the next row of fasteners 88Awith the rearmost of the feeding members to ensure that fasteners 88Aare continuously advanced into the firing channel 395 withoutinterruption and without a misfire (no fastener fired, which can becaused by a gap between consecutive rows of fasteners 88A). When thesubstantially consumed row of fasteners has been consumed to the pointthat it is in front of the foremost feeding member, the foremost feedingmember engages the next row of fasteners to advance it forward towardthe firing channel and advance the remaining fasteners of thesubstantially consumed row of fasteners toward the firing channel byadvancing the next row of fasteners behind the remaining fasteners. Theforemost and rearmost feeding members can both engage the same row offasteners during a period of operation before the row of fasteners isadvanced past the rearmost feeding member. The rearmost feeding memberwill engage the next row of fasteners stored in the storage portion oncethe last fastener in the row of fasteners positioned in the feedingplane is advanced past the leading fastener of the next row. Thisoperation continues to consume all the rows of fasteners stored in thestorage portion 393 of the magazine 40A. It should be understood thatthe pneumatic advancing mechanism can include any number of feedingmembers and still be within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

In further constructions, the nailer 20A can utilize fastener advancingmechanisms similar to the fastener advancing mechanisms disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/730,745, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

It should also be understood that the multiple rows of fasteners 88Apositioned in the storage portion 393 can be moved toward the feedingplane 394 in a variety of manners other than the biasing member. In someconstructions, the nailer 20A can include a row advancing mechanism (notshown) similar to the pneumatic advancing mechanism discussed above. Insuch constructions, the row advancing mechanism is in pneumaticcommunication with the pneumatic source and is operable to advance a rowof fasteners 88A positioned in the storage portion 393 toward thefeeding plane 394 and retract rearwardly, away from the feeding plane394, to reposition in preparation of another advancing operation.Alternatively, the row advancing mechanism can engage the outermost rowof fasteners 88A and apply a force thereto to advance the rows offasteners 88A toward the feeding plane 394. In this instance, the rowadvancing mechanism could continuously advance the rows of fasteners 88Atoward the feeding plane 394 until all the rows of fasteners 88A havebeen consumed. In other words, the row advancing mechanism would nothave to retract after each advancing operation.

Referring to FIGS. 23-26, in the illustrated construction and in someaspects, the collation material is operable to ensure correct alignmentand insertion of the fasteners 88 into the magazine 40. The fasteners 88can be secured together with a thin collation strip 396 and a widecollation strip 400 that are non-symmetrical with respect to oneanother. In the illustrated construction, only the last fastener 88 hasa wide collation strip 400 (see FIG. 23). In some aspects, all of thefasteners 88 may have wide collation strips 400. However, any number ofthe fasteners 88 can have wide collation strips 400 and still be withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

The wide collation strip 400 protrudes further out from the fasteners 88than the thin collation strip 396. Accordingly, the magazine 40 definesan insertion opening 404 in a rearward end thereof that complements thenon-symmetrical shape of the collation strips 396, 400. The insertionopening 404 includes a thin portion 408 and a wide portion 412. The wideportion 412 of the opening 404 is wide enough to allow insertion of thewide collation strip 400 therein and the thin portion 408 is wide enoughto allow insertion of the thin collation strip 396 therein, but narrowenough not to allow insertion of the wide collation strip 400 therein.This combination of non-symmetrical collation strips 396, 400 and thethin and wide portions 408, 412 of the insertion opening 404 ensure thatthe fasteners 88 are inserted into the magazine 40 in the correctorientation (see FIG. 26). As illustrated in FIGS. 27-28, fasteners 88without the collation strips 396, 400 and the insertion opening 404having complementary thin and wide portions 408, 412 can be incorrectlyinserted into the magazine 40.

Referring to FIGS. 29-30, incorrect insertion of fasteners 88 having thecollation strips 396, 400 is illustrated. The wide collation strip 400engages the thin portion 408 of the insertion opening 404 when thefasteners 88 are inserted upside down. This engagement prevents thefasteners 88 from being inserted upside down in the magazine 40. FIG. 31also illustrates incorrect insertion of the fasteners 88. Attempting toinsert the fasteners 88 in a reversed orientation causes the widecollation strip 400 to engage the end of the magazine 40 and prevent thefasteners 88 from being inserted into the magazine 40.

Referring to FIGS. 32-34, in the illustrated construction and in someaspects, collation material 430 can be positioned on the fasteners 88 ina manner that brings the collation material 430 into engagement with anose-lockout switch 432 when the fasteners 88 are inserted into themagazine 40 in the correct orientation only. When firing the nailer 20,the driver pad 216 is depressed against a workpiece. If the fasteners 88are inserted into the magazine 40 incorrectly, the collation material430 will not engage the nose-lockout switch 432 and the nailer 20 willnot be able to fire.

With particular reference to FIG. 33, the nose-lockout switch 432 isillustrated in a locked position, in which the nailer 20 can not fire.The nose-lockout switch 432 is pivotal and includes a flat engagementsurface 434 and a curved engagement surface 438. In the locked position,the flat engagement surface 434 is aligned with the first lever 220 andthe curved engagement surface 438 is positioned within the firingchannel 395. Fasteners 88 are positioned in the firing channel 395 whenthey are in the loading position and the driver blade 152 is insertableinto the firing channel 395 to engage the fastener 88 and drive it intoa workpiece. When the driver pad 216 is depressed and the nose-lockoutswitch 432 is in the locked position, the first lever 220 engages theflat engagement surface 434 and is prevented from further movement bythe nose-lock out switch 432. In the locked position, the nose-lockoutswitch 432 is not rotatable under force applied by the first lever 220and, therefore, the driver pad 216 can not be depressed. Thenose-lockout switch 432 can be in the locked position when the magazine40 is out of fasteners 88 or when the fasteners 88 are incorrectlyinserted into the magazine 40. Either way, the collation material 430does not contact the nose-lockout switch 432.

Referring to FIG. 34, the nose-lockout switch 432 is illustrated in theunlocked position, in which the nailer 20 can fire fasteners 88 into aworkpiece. The fastener 88 is correctly positioned in the magazine 40and is in the firing channel 395. When the fastener 88 is correctlypositioned in the firing channel 395, the collation material 430 engagesthe nose-lockout switch 432 and rotates the nose-lockout switch 432 toalign the curved engagement surface 438 with the first lever 220. Whenthe driver pad 216 is depressed and the nose-lockout switch 432 is inthe unlocked position, the first lever 220 engages the curved engagementsurface 438 and rotates the nose-lockout switch 432. Rotation of thenose-lockout switch 432 allows the first lever 220 to pass thereby,which allows the driver pad 216 to be depressed and the nailer 20 to befired.

It should be understood that the nose-lockout switch can operate in adifferent manner and can be interconnected with other components of thenailer and still be within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For example, the nose-lockout switch can prevent movement ofthe second unwanted-firing prevention lever when in the locked positionand the nose-lockout switch can slide between the locked and unlockedpositions.

Referring to FIG. 35, in the illustrated construction and in someaspects, the collation material 430 is positioned on the fasteners 88 toengage interior surfaces of the magazine 40. Engagement between thecollation material 430 and the interior surfaces of the magazine 40provides support and guidance to the fasteners 88 within the magazine40.

In the illustrated construction, the fasteners 88 are nails, however,the fasteners 88 can be any driveable fastener and still be within thespirit and scope of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 53-58, thenails 88 include a shank 442, a head 446 and an indicia 450 defined inthe head 446 of the nail 88. The indicia 450 has a variety of purposes.The indicia 450 provides a location where a tool (not shown) can engagethe nail 88 for removal of the nail 88. The nail 88 is removed byengaging the tool with the nail 88 within the indicia 450 and turningthe nail 88 with the tool until the nail 88 is removed from theworkpiece. In some constructions, the nail 88 is turnedcounter-clockwise by the tool for removal of the nail 88. In otherconstructions, the nail 88 is turned clockwise by the tool for removalof the nail 88.

Also, the indicia 450 indicates the manufacturer of the nail 88.Inspectors that inspect job sites must be able to determine themanufacturer of nails 88 used in structural applications by referencinga unique marking on the nails 88. The indicia 450 can assume a varietyof patterns and shapes corresponding to a variety of manufacturers ofnails 88.

Referring to FIGS. 53-54, a nail 88 is illustrated and the indicia 450has a Torx T10 configuration. A tool having a complementary Torx T10configuration is engageable with the nail 88 within the indicia 450 andis rotatable to remove the nail 88.

It should be understood that the nail 88 can define an indicia 450having a variety of configurations, such as, for example a Phillips-typeconfiguration (see FIG. 55), a flathead-type configuration (see FIG.56), a square configuration (see FIG. 57), a lighting bolt configuration(see FIG. 58), or any other configuration that would enable removal ofthe nail 88 by engaging the nail 88 with a tool within the indicia 450and turning the tool. Likewise, tools can be designed to include acomplementary configuration to the indicia configurations listed aboveand to any other indicia configuration that would enable removal of thenail 88.

Referring to FIGS. 36-47, a second construction of the nailer 20 isillustrated. Common elements are identified by the same referencenumbers “″”.

It should be understood that the nailer 20″ illustrated in FIGS. 36-47can have similar operation to the nailer 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1-15and include any of the structure and alternatives of the nailer 20illustrated in FIGS. 1-15. Similarly, the nailer 20″ illustrated inFIGS. 36-47 can utilize the magazine 40′ illustrated in FIGS. 16-22 andthe collation material illustrated in FIGS. 23-26. Accordingly,reference is made to the above discussion regarding the structure,operation, and alternatives of the nailer 20. Likewise, the nailer 20can have similar structure, operation and alternatives of the nailer 20″illustrated in FIGS. 36-47.

The nailer 20″ is a steel, framing, sheathing nailer for fastening steelto concrete, heavy steel to heavy steel, sheathing to steel, etc. Thenailer 20″ includes a magazine 40″ connected to the handle 36″ and theforward end 28″ of the body 24″. The magazine 40″ includes a supportportion 312″ defining a fastener channel 416 therein for receiving andsupporting fasteners 88″. An insertion opening 420 is defined in arearward end of magazine 40″ for inserting fasteners 88″ into themagazine 40″. A pusher 332″ is engageable with the fasteners 88″ to biasthe fasteners 88″ toward the loading position in the forward end 28″ ofbody 24″.

To load fasteners 88″ into the magazine 40″, the pusher 332″ is pulledrearward until it is locked in place with a locking member 424. Whilemoving rearward, the pusher 332″ engages a ramp (not shown) within themagazine 40″ to move the pusher 332″ out of the fastener channel 416defined in the magazine 40″. Fasteners 88″ are inserted through theinsertion opening 420 and into the fastener channel 416. The nailer 20″is then rotated upside-down to allow gravity to move the fasteners 88″forward toward the forward end 28″ of the body 24″. The pusher 332″ isreleased from the locking member 424 and is spring biased intoengagement with the last fastener 88″ to bias the fasteners 88″ towardthe loading position.

Although particular constructions of the present invention have beenshown and described, other alternative constructions will be apparent tothose skilled in the art and are within the intended scope of thepresent invention.

1. A power tool comprising: a housing including a wall defining acavity, an aperture being defined through the wall and being in fluidcommunication with the cavity to facilitate fluid flow from within thecavity, through the aperture and to the exterior of the power tool; adeflector connected to the housing and, in a position, at leastpartially covering the aperture, the deflector being selectively movablerelative to the housing between a first position, in which the deflectordeflects fluid flowing through the aperture in a first direction, and asecond position, in which the deflector deflects fluid flowing throughthe aperture in a second direction; and a detent arrangement providedbetween the housing and the deflector to releasably hold the deflectorin at least one of the first position and the second position.
 2. Thepower tool of claim 1, wherein the power tool is a nailer.
 3. The powertool of claim 1, wherein the deflector extends across the aperture in atleast one of the first position and the second position.
 4. The powertool of claim 1, wherein the deflector is selectively movable withoutthe use of tools.
 5. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the wall definesa plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the cavity tofacilitate air flow from within the cavity, through at least one of theplurality of apertures and to the exterior of the power tool.
 6. Thepower tool of claim 5, wherein the deflector extends across at least oneof the plurality of apertures.
 7. The power tool of claim 1, wherein thedeflector is selectively rotatable to selectively deflect the air in oneof the first direction and the second direction.
 8. The power tool ofclaim 1, wherein the detent arrangement includes a protrusion providedby one of the housing and the deflector and a recess defined by theother of the housing and the deflector, the protrusion being engageablein the recess to releasably hold the deflector in one of the firstposition and the second position.
 9. The power tool of claim 8, whereinthe other of the housing and the deflector defines a second recess, theprotrusion being selectively engageable in the first-mentioned recess toreleasably hold the deflector in the first position and in the secondrecess to releasably hold the deflector in the second position.
 10. Thepower tool of claim 8, wherein the protrusion is biased into engagementwith the recess.
 11. The power tool of claim 10, wherein the protrusionis biased into the recess by the resilience of the material of at leastone of the protrusion, the deflector, and the housing.
 12. The powertool of claim 10, wherein the detent arrangement includes a biasingmember operable to bias the protrusion into engagement with the recess.13. A nailer for driving a fastener from a strip of fasteners, thenailer comprising: a housing defining a firing channel; a magazineconnected to the housing, the magazine being operable to support thestrip of fasteners in an orientation therein such that the strip offasteners is advancable toward the firing channel, the magazine definingan insertion opening therein through which the strip of fasteners isinsertable into the magazine, the insertion opening having aconfiguration; and a drive assembly at least partially supported by thehousing for driving a fastener positioned in the firing channel into aworkpiece; wherein the strip of fasteners has a configurationcomplementary to the configuration of the insertion opening such thatthe strip of fasteners insertable into the magazine only when the stripof fasteners is in the orientation.
 14. The nailer of claim 13, whereinthe insertion opening includes a thin portion and a wide portion widerthan the thin portion, the strip of collated fasteners having a wideportion, the strip of fasteners only being insertable through theinsertion opening when the wide portion of the strip of fasteners isaligned with the wide portion of the insertion opening.
 15. The nailerof claim 14, wherein the strip of fasteners includes a plurality of wideportions substantially aligned with one another, the strip of fastenersonly being insertable through the insertion opening when the pluralityof wide portions are aligned with the wide portion of the insertionopening.
 16. The nailer of claim 14, wherein the strip of fastenersincludes a plurality of fasteners, a first collation strip and a secondcollation strip, the first collation strip and the second collationstrip engaging the plurality of fasteners to secure the fasteners in thestrip of fasteners, the first collation strip providing a thin collationportion, the second collation strip providing a wide collation portionwider than the thin collation portion, the strip of fasteners only beinginsertable through the insertion opening when the wide collation portionis aligned with the wide portion of the insertion opening and the thincollation portion is aligned with the thin portion of the insertionopening.
 17. The nailer of claim 13, wherein the strip of fastenersincludes a plurality of fasteners, a collation strip engaging andsecuring the plurality of fasteners in the strip of fasteners, whereinthe magazine includes an inner wall at least partially defining afastener cavity aligned with the insertion opening such that the stripof fasteners inserted through the insertion opening is positioned withinthe fastener cavity, the collation strip engaging the inner wall whenthe strip of fasteners is positioned within the magazine and spacingplurality of fasteners from the inner wall.
 18. The nailer of claim 17,wherein a plurality of collation tracks are defined in the inner wall ofthe magazine, the collation strip being positionable within thecollation tracks to guide the strip of fasteners toward the orientation.19. A power tool comprising: a housing defining a firing channel; amagazine connected to the housing and operable to support fastenerstherein, the magazine including a pusher engaging the fasteners to movethe fasteners through the magazine and toward the firing channel; adrive assembly at least partially supported by the housing for driving afastener positioned in the firing channel into a workpiece; and a leverengageable with the pusher to prevent the power tool from driving afastener when a quantity of fasteners in the magazine is below a numberof fasteners.
 20. The power tool of claim 19, wherein the power tool isa nailer.
 21. The power tool of claim 19, wherein a portion of the leveris positioned in the magazine, and wherein the lever engages the pusherin the magazine.
 22. The power tool of claim 19, further comprising atrigger assembly coupled to the drive assembly and actuatable by anoperator to activate the drive assembly to drive a fastener, the leverbeing coupled to the trigger assembly to selectively prevent the triggerassembly from being actuated when a quantity of fasteners in themagazine is below a number of fasteners.
 23. The power tool of claim 19,further comprising a trigger assembly coupled to the drive assembly andactuatable by an operator to activate the drive assembly, the triggerassembly including a valve operable to control fluid flow through thepower tool, the lever being coupled to the valve to disable the valve toselectively prevent fluid flow through the power tool when a quantity offasteners in the magazine is below a number of fasteners.
 24. The powertool of claim 19, wherein the lever engages the pusher to prevent thepower tool from driving a fastener when five or fewer fasteners arepositioned in the magazine.
 25. A strip of fasteners for use with anailer, the nailer being operable to drive a fastener from said strip offasteners, the nailer including a housing defining a firing channel, amagazine connected to the housing, the magazine being operable tosupport said strip of fasteners in an orientation therein such that saidstrip of fasteners is advancable toward the firing channel, the magazinedefining an insertion opening therein through which said strip offasteners is insertable into the magazine, the insertion opening havinga configuration, and a drive assembly at least partially supported bythe housing for driving a fastener positioned in the firing channel intoa workpiece, said strip of fasteners comprising: a plurality offasteners; and a collation strip engageable with and securing theplurality of fasteners in said strip of fasteners; wherein said strip offasteners has a configuration complementary to the configuration of theinsertion opening such that said strip of fasteners insertable into themagazine only when said strip of fasteners is in the orientation. 26.The strip of fasteners of claim 25, wherein the collation strip providesthe configuration complementary to the configuration of the insertionopening.